That Undying Old Bastard, Qian Daoliu

The wound that pierced her chest might not have been fatal, but one must not forget that Zero's dagger had been coated in deadly poison.

Without hesitation, Qin Chao quickly tore open the girl's clothing at her chest.

The flying dagger fragments had been razor-sharp. Not only had they torn Hu Liena's flesh open and left blood pouring out, but thick black fumes also wreathed her wounds.

Hu Liena's wound was in a dangerously vulnerable spot. Seeing the black fumes spread and creep toward her heart, Qin Chao could no longer worry about propriety between men and women. His little hands darted out, his fingertips touching her skin as he used what little soul power he had left to seal her acupoints.

The poison's spread slowed somewhat, but the danger had not yet passed.

Qin Chao took a small knife from his Soul Tool and widened Hu Liena's wound. His gaze flickered, and at last he bent down, sucking the poisoned blood out of her body...

"Qin Chao!" Xie Yue growled coldly.

He knew the little fellow was treating his sister, but why did it still leave such a bitter taste in his mouth?!

His hands moved even faster, and his killing intent kept climbing.

Die, die, die! They all had to die!

The sister-obsessed soul hidden within him had finally awakened. His Moon Blades grew faster and faster, faintly showing the beginnings of his Self-Created Soul Skill, Full Moon. It was something of a blessing born from disaster...

Meanwhile, back with Qin Chao.

After he spat out countless mouthfuls of poisoned blood laced with black fumes, the blood flowing from Hu Liena's wound finally turned red again.

Qin Chao breathed a sigh of relief at the sight. Light flashed from his Soul Tool, and the aromatic silk beauty appeared once more.

Without any hesitation, he plucked out the flower's central stamens, chewed them to a pulp, and carefully applied them to Hu Liena's wound.

With its most essential stamens removed, the aromatic silk beauty withered instantly. An immortal medicinal herb thus came to the end of its brief life, leaving Chrysanthemum Douluo aching at the waste as he watched from outside the arena.

The girl's skin was as smooth as congealed cream. As his fingertips brushed against it, Qin Chao could hardly stop the monkey of his heart and the horse of his thoughts from running wild. Just as the little fellow's mind began to wander, a familiar female voice suddenly rang out...

"How does it feel?"

"Do you even need to ask..." Qin Chao replied instinctively. By the time he realized what he had said, it was already too late...

One small hand tore a piece from the hem of Qin Chao's white robe and covered the girl's exposed shoulders, while the other seized his ear and twisted hard...

"Little Qin Chao, you've really grown bold, haven't you? You even dare take liberties with your big sister now..."

Though Hu Liena's voice was still somewhat weak, a healthy flush had finally returned to her face.

"Sis, sis, sis! I was wrong, all right..." Covering his much-abused ear, Qin Chao hurriedly begged for mercy in a low voice.

While the two of them made a lively fuss, Xie Yue had not been idle either. His red Moon Blade rested against Ci Jie's neck. With just a little pressure, Ci Jie could go down and reunite with his two companions...

"The assessment's outcome has been decided. Stand down..."

Bibi Dong spoke slowly, stopping Xie Yue and bringing this accident-riddled assessment to an end.

Ci Jie had used an innate Soul Skill beyond his level, rupturing all the meridians in his body and leaving him unable to cultivate ever again. Sparing his life also gave Porcupinefish Douluo some face...

Yan had never been patient. The instant Bibi Dong withdrew the light barrier, he leaped forward to check his companions' injuries. Only after confirming that none of the three was in mortal danger did he finally relax.

"Your Holiness, isn't it time to announce the result of the match?"

Yan looked excitedly toward the dais, the eager light in his eyes blazing bright.

Watching the four support one another in the arena, Bibi Dong's lips kept curling upward until a radiant smile bloomed across her face.

They had performed splendidly in this assessment.

Not only had they retained their title as the Golden Generation, they had also delivered a resounding slap to the Elder Hall's face.

What did years of scheming matter? Spirit Hall's future was destined to remain in the Pope Hall's hands!

These youngsters had only begun to reveal their edge, yet it was already enough to shake Spirit Hall. Given time, they would surely write a new legendary chapter on the Douluo Continent!

Bibi Dong looked at Qian Daoliu, making no attempt to hide the pride in her eyes.

"Your presence at this assessment, Grand Elder, has brought luster to my humble training ground. Please announce the results of today's assessment yourself..."

Qian Daoliu did not decline. His calm, tranquil bearing remained unchanged.

Though he intended to suppress the Pope Hall, he would never lose his composure before a crowd.

He looked at the four youngsters in the arena with a complicated gaze.

Their strength and talent were extraordinary. Looking at them was like looking at Bibi Dong all those years ago.

If Xunji had not done something so foolish back then, would Spirit Hall be different today?

Seeing the youngsters so full of vigor, Qian Daoliu could not help feeling wistful. Sadly, there were not so many ifs in this world...

"Xie Yue, Hu Liena, Yan, Qin Chao..." Qian Daoliu began slowly. "Congratulations. You have successfully passed the assessment and claimed the final victory..."

"We won!" Qin Chao could hardly contain the excitement in his voice. This had been his first proper battle since coming to this world, and the taste of victory was truly intoxicating.

It was recognition of his strength, and an achievement he had earned through his own efforts.

"However..." Qian Daoliu abruptly changed tack and turned to Bibi Dong beside him, a trace of mockery in his eyes. "Though they have joined the Golden Generation, their dispositions are rather vicious. What should have been a minor internal assessment has now left two dead and one injured. How do you intend to settle this matter, Your Holiness?"

That undying old bastard really did stick his nose into everything...

Bibi Dong snorted coldly and swept her gaze across the arena.

The spectator stands had fallen silent, and everyone watched Bibi Dong intently.

They were all members of Spirit Hall. Naturally, they did not want their future Pope to be a ruthless, merciless person.

"They are still young, and admittedly lack judgment in their dealings with others. But their strength and accomplishments cannot be erased simply by calling their character deficient..."

After a moment's consideration, Bibi Dong continued, "Then how about this? Until they reach adulthood, I will grant them no leadership authority whatsoever. As for the selection of the Holy Maiden or Holy Son, we shall hold it eight years from now..."

In eight years, the older ones, such as Xie Yue, would be twenty-a suitable age to take up authority.

"You are merciful indeed, Your Holiness. But isn't this punishment a little too light..."

Qian Daoliu shook his head slightly, seemingly dissatisfied with Bibi Dong's decision.

"Then what would you suggest, Grand Elder?"

Looking at the densely packed spectators in the stands, Bibi Dong could only suppress her displeasure and patiently ask.

The assessment was over, and the members of the Golden Generation had been decided. The next Holy Son or Holy Maiden would undoubtedly be chosen from these four. To lead a behemoth like Spirit Hall, one needed not only strength, but also the support of its members.

People's hearts were difficult to fathom. Without winning them over, even someone who ascended to the papal throne would be nothing more than a puppet...

"Everyone has witnessed the Golden Generation's strength. But strength alone is not enough to make a leader..." A sly glint flashed through Qian Daoliu's eyes.

"As far as I know, Spirit Hall's finances have not been particularly healthy in recent years. In my opinion, we might as well add another round and have these youngsters find ways to generate revenue, securing some benefits for our members. It would also allow them to begin building a Pope's prestige ahead of time..."

Generate revenue?! Bibi Dong secretly gritted her teeth.

She knew perfectly well that Spirit Hall's finances were in poor shape.

In earlier years, Fallen Soul Masters (Evil Soul Masters) had run rampant across the continent, and Spirit Hall had amassed considerable wealth by hunting them down. But sitting idle and eating away at a fortune would eventually empty even a mountain.

Spirit Hall now supported many powerful experts, and those above the rank of bishop received substantial additional allowances. Though it possessed plenty of treasures such as Soul Bones, it was far from wealthy when it came to soul coins.

To generate revenue, Spirit Hall had partnered with the seven great families to operate the Soul Fighting Arena, yet its expenses still exceeded its income. What useful ideas could a mere handful of children possibly have...

Bibi Dong was about to object when Qin Chao stepped forward below the dais and declared in a clear, ringing voice.

"It's just making money, isn't it? We, the Golden Generation, accept!"